Ten illegal tobacco shops were shut down this week in New South Wales as part of new state laws aimed at curbing the sale of illicit tobacco products. NSW Health inspectors, supported by NSW Police, conducted raids on ten businesses in the South Coast and Riverina regions. During these operations, authorities seized 349,000 illegal cigarettes, 4,600 unauthorized vapes, and nearly 17 kilograms of other illicit tobacco items.

The Chief Health Inspector issued 90-day shutdown orders to the businesses under legislation that took effect on November 3. NSW Health announced that investigations are ongoing, and further enforcement actions, including potential prosecutions, may follow.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park expressed satisfaction with the initial results of the new laws. "They've only just started to come into place, and we've probably shut down just under 30 premises across NSW," he said. Park noted that some of the businesses had been operating without licenses and were selling illegal products.

Each closed business has been marked with yellow A4 stickers detailing the type of violation, the duration of the closure, and the terms of the closure order. The affected businesses are prohibited from operating for 90 days and face penalties of up to $82,500 for a first offense and $137,500 for a second offense.

Park mentioned that while these businesses could apply to reopen after the closure period, there would be scrutiny regarding their applications. "You could imagine there'd be a degree of suspicion and caution reissuing to a premises who has just been shut down," he said.

He highlighted the challenges faced by legal tobacco retailers, who pay higher taxes and duties compared to illegal operators. "[They] pay excess duty and taxation on those products for these to be sold at sometimes 6 to 8 times less than what they are in the legal businesses," Park stated.

The minister emphasized that the new laws aim to send a strong message to illegal tobacco sellers. "We've spent probably the last 60 or 70 years decreasing the smoking rate here in NSW. We don't want to see our next generation hooked on nicotine," he said.

Additionally, Park and Premier Chris Minns have raised concerns with the federal government regarding high tobacco taxes, which they believe contribute to the illegal trade problem.